Update from SVCF Board of Directors

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

The Silicon Valley Community Foundation Board of Directors met on Monday, April 23 to continue to discuss the path forward in addressing any potential issues or concerns of the SVCF workplace, ensuring a positive work culture, and determining how the Board can facilitate that process. Following that meeting, the Board has taken steps in response to the recent allegations of workplace misconduct.

First, the Board has appointed a Special Committee of the Board to lead these efforts, working closely with the Chair of our Board, Sam Johnson, and our incoming Chair Dan’l Lewin. This committee includes Julie Kwon, Wade Loo, Kate Mitchell, Thurman White and Rebecca Guerra who will work with the SVCF team and our outside experts as we move forward.

Second, the Board has retained an additional third-party law firm, Boies Schiller Flexner, with partners Ann O’Leary and Robyn Crowther leading the work, to provide further strategic guidance for our organization in investigating and addressing the claims that have come to light over the past week. They have expertise in providing strategic counseling and conducting high-level investigations and we’re grateful for their added counsel and support during this difficult time.

Third, with the team from Boies Schiller Flexner we will expand the reach of the investigation currently being undertaken by Thompson Hine. While that investigation was first launched following allegations of sexual harassment by one individual, it has since become clear that we may have a larger culture issue that needs to be addressed. This includes evaluating how teams are managed, what type of working environment is being fostered and confirming that we are the type of organization where reports of misconduct are met with swift and just action. To that end, we remain committed to taking whatever actions will be required based on that investigation’s findings.